Hello Everyone! I've been reading these boards for a while now, and have to admit, the amount of information is both amazing and overwhelming. I'm hoping as a newbie, someone can offer some guidance and help me get started in cleaning up my credit. Basically, in my 20's I was married. My ex was an alcoholic, and money was not something we had in large supply. When I finally left him, I was broke and my credit in shambles. I had basically resigned myself to 'paying cash' for everything. Well, now that I'm older, I want to clean my credit up. I've had a good job for four years, and am being responsible about all my current bills (utilities). I'll admit, I hadn't even looked at my credit until recently, and I'm at a loss for where to start. I've only pulled my Equifax for now, but fully intend to pull all three and compare them and make a plan for organizing what to do. I have a couple of initial questions, though, that I'm hoping for some advice on. Most of what's on my report is minor stuff, small amounts. A lot of these report as 'Open-Charge Off'. On my Equifax report, which I pulled from consumerinfo.com, they're only listing 'open date', and many of these date back to the mid 90's. How do I find out when the clock 'started ticking' on these, to know if they are old and past the 7 year mark and should be deleted? Is there a better site/service that I should pull all three reports from? There is a major judgement against me showing as a public record. I had received a 'warrant in debt' (I'm in Virginia) six months ago, and had no idea who this creditor was. Turns out it's for a credit card that I never had, and they claim I owe over $8,000! A default judgement was entered in their favor, even though I received no formal notification of hearing. This is not my debt, and I'm lost as to where to start to get rid of this or fight it. There is one item for FCNB that is bothering me. Four years ago, I got a 'pre-approved' offer for a Spiegel credit card. I signed up, and made my payments on time each month. I always paid more than the amount due and had no issues with them. 8 months ago, out of the clear blue sky, I got a letter from them stating that they'd pulled my credit report, and due to what was on it, were cancelling my account. I was furious and sent a letter demanding an explanation (didn't think to send it registered, so no formal record of it). They never replied, then a month later, I started getting harassing collection calls from a company listed on my Caller ID as Carholder Man. (not sure the full company name). My credit limit was $600, and this company is now claiming I owe close to $1,000 and it's on my report. I told them that I refused to pay until it is explained why my account was closed, when I was paying my bills each month without a problem. No answer. How do I go about getting to the bottom of this and clearing it off my credit report? I also have an entry from Ford Motor Credit. It was a leased car that was repossesed over four years ago, and the account is still listed as Open with a past due of $543 (my ex husband was on the account as well). My big concern right now, is that up until now, I've owned nothing. I finally have gotten on my feet to where I made a deal with my father, and after two years of payments to him, paid off a truck I was driving, and he signed the title over to me. It's now in my name, and I'm concerned that somehow this can be seized as an asset, so I really want to start cleaning things up. Sorry for such a long post...Hopefully someone can offer some insight and guidance to get me started. Thanks a million in advance!
Welcome to the Board Koda! The best advice I can give you at this very moment is to pull all three reports separately, and directly from their source. Sometimes what isn't answered on one will be answered on another. I would check the statute of limitations for your state - so you are armed with some beginning knowledge. Also, head down to the courthouse where the judgment was obtained, and get a copy of ALL the papers in regards to the judgment. You probably already have, but it never hurts to do it several times, read the posts stuck to the top of the board - you will start gaining knowledge on how to tackle your individual problems. Once you get your reports, call the CRAs and have them delete any and all old addresses showing on your reports. This should be everyone's very first step, as it is a huge aid in repairing credit. Once you have all 3 reports, it is much easier to develop a plan of action. Good luck!
1*Most of what's on my report is minor stuff, small amounts. many of these date back to the mid 90's. 2*How do I find out when the clock 'started ticking' on these, to know if they are old and past the 7 year mark and should be deleted? 3*There is a major judgment against me showing as a public record. 4*I had received a 'warrant in debt' (I'm in Virginia) six months ago, and had no idea who this creditor was. Turns out it's for a credit card that I never had, and they claim I owe over $8,000! 5*A default judgment was entered in their favor, even though I received no formal notification of hearing. 6**This is not my debt, and I'm lost as to where to start to get rid of this or fight it. 7* I started getting harassing collection calls from a company listed on my Caller ID as Carholder Man. 8*. How do I go about getting to the bottom of this and clearing it off my credit report? Koda33 ================= 1*When it comes to dings on your reports small don't equal minor. 2*Seven years after the DOLA or last time you paid on them. 3* 4*What is a warrant in debt? How are they connecting this up to you? 5*Who got the judgment? Why did you let them get it? 6*Then how can they claim it is? 7*Is this a CA ? 8* 1*Get a copy of the entire file of the judgment from the court house. ***2*Get all old addresses removed from all of your credit reports. ***3*After the old addressees have actually been removed Dispute the judgment as not mine with the CRAs**********and send the CA the validation letter. THE END ** *** ** LB 59 """""""""```~~~```'"""""""""
